A disagreement has broken out between the horse racing and gambling industries about how much bookmakers should contribute to the sport.

The British Horseracing Authority says racing in other nations gets a greater share of money gambled on the sport.

But the bookmakers’ body, the ABB, says it will only pay a “fair value for the racing product, not an enhanced value”.

It comes as a Deloitte report says that British horse racing was worth more than £3.7bn to the economy in 2008.

Deloitte also says racing retained its position as the second-biggest sport in Britain after football, in terms of revenue generation and attendances.

But the industry has also been hit in some areas by the economic downturn, such as in reduced bloodstock sales.

‘Significant contributor’

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), which commissioned the Deloitte report, is the governing and regulatory body for British Horseracing.
Racing industry statistics

The BHA says Britain was second only to Japan in the total amount bet on horse racing, with £12.1bn wagered in the country against just under £14bn wagered in Japan.

But it said that while the return to the racing industry in Japan was £741m - or 5.3% of the amount wagered on races - in Britain it was just £118m, or 1% of the total amount wagered.

And in both the USA and France 8% of money wagered was returned to racing (£589m and £531m respectively).

“Deloitte’s study reiterates that British horseracing, as the second biggest sporting activity in Britain, is a significant contributor to the leisure, agricultural and rural economies in Britain,” said Nic Coward, chief executive of the BHA.

“It also highlights the disparity regarding the returns to the sport from betting compared to other major racing nations.

“If further demonstration of our broken system was needed, we have the second highest betting turnover of the major racing nations yet the lowest return by far from the betting industry to our sport.”

The racing industry argues that it does not receive “an adequate or fair return from the betting industry given the value of its product”.

‘Huge differential’

The BHA says one reason for the decline in the return from betting to the horse racing industry is that several former British-based internet gambling operators have moved these online operations offshore.

They have thus ceased paying the gambling levy that formerly went to horseracing when these activities were based onshore.
Racecourse bookmakers at Newmarket meeting 2008
There is a disagreement between the horse racing and betting industries

“The major reason for the huge differential for the return to racing from betting between here and other countries is because they’ve set-up their betting to maximise the return to racing - which betting is there to support - whereas here that’s not the case in Britain,” said a BHA spokesman.

“We aren’t calling for a Tote monopoly like they have in other countries - we wouldn’t want to decrease the choice that those wanting to bet have in this country, which helps to make British racing as exciting and diverse as it is.

“What we are asking for is a fair return to racing from betting, whether traditional bookmakers or exchanges, based onshore but particular based offshore, who can currently bet on racing without ever paying a penny back.”

‘Economic reality’

But the bookmakers’ organisation, the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), said the figures quoted by the BHA represented “racing’s view of the world and their take on the respective relationship between bookmakers and the racing industry”.

It added: “Racing and betting are plainly linked, but they are separate industries which should co-exist in a commercial relationship driven by the market.

“Racing adopts the betting industry when it suits and denigrates us when it does not.”

And the ABB said that systems in France and other countries for funding racing did not provide the same value for the betting public as “a proper commercial betting market”.

It also said that bookmakers “subsidised racing to the tune of £90m to £100m per year, and were also paying increasing sums for TV rights”.

“At a time when racing is becoming less popular with the gambling public and more income is flowing from bookmakers to racing, racing must adopt a sense of economic reality and not look to be further bailed out by the bookmakers,” the ABB said.

“Bookmakers will pay a fair value for the racing product, but not an enhanced value that moves us closer to, rather than away from a state subsidised system.”

‘Bounce back’

Other findings of the Deloitte report into the sport and its economy include the fact that over £100m was generated by horse racing in 2008 from media channels.

HORSE RACING IN NUMBERS
Generated expenditure of £3.4bn in 2008, or £3.7bn including capital expenditure
Contributed £325m in tax in 2008
Tax total over five years of more than £1.5bn
18,600 full-time jobs in its core industry
52,000 full-time jobs in onshore betting industry
Racecourses generated £361m in 2008
Horse owners’ gross expenditure totalled £367m
Expenditure of breeding industry estimated at £207m
Racing had four of the top eight attended sports events in 2008
Total attendances of 5.7 million last year
Source: BHA/Deloitte

That was achieved primarily by broadcasting through terrestrial services, racing’s two dedicated horseracing TV channels and picture [TV image]sales to licensed betting offices.

However, the problems in the wider economy are also hitting the sport.

“Like all sports, racing faces a significant challenge as a result of the economic downturn,” says Alan Switzer, director in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.

He warned that many of the figures quoted in the report were likely to experience declines in 2009, “but we are confident the sport has the ability to bounce back once economic conditions improve”.

He also said that the tougher times meant there had been a “flight to quality”, and that racing was fortunate in having a number of events - with attendances at the top festivals in 2009 “generally holding up well”.

However, that meant that a key challenge for racing was to find ways of increasing the profile of the next tier of fixtures.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

JIMBARAN: The Ayana Resort and Spa Bali was voted one of the top 25 spas and resorts and top 25 leisure and conference hotels by Smart Travel Asia magazine’s Best in Travel Poll 2009.

Ayana was third in the poll, while Bali was once again voted Asia’s top holiday destination.Ayana was also the only hotel in Bali - and Indonesia - to make the list of Asia’s top 15 resorts in Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2009 readers’ survey, and was ranked Bali’s number one resort by leading Japanese travel magazine AB-Road. The honors come just months after Ayana rebranded to become an independent property under the management of the US-based West Paces Hotel Group.“Once again, Ayana has been voted the top-ranking property on the world’s top-ranking island, and all within a very short time after our rebranding,” said general manager Charles de Foucault.

“We are delighted and honored to be in the company of Asia’s most renowned properties, in the eyes of the discerning readers of Smart Travel Asia.”

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

The Registry Collection®, the world’s largest luxury exchange programme and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced the affiliation of Absolute Developments to its programme, adding six new resorts to its global network of luxury properties.

“We are delighted to welcome Absolute Developments to The Registry Collection,” said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI, parent company of The Registry Collection. “This relationship not only provides us with an opportunity to work with one of the leading developers of mixed-used resort operations in Asia, but also marks a significant achievement in securing the first properties for The Registry Collection in Asia. Thailand in particular is home to a wealth of five-star resort developments and idyllic beach locations which have succeeded in attracting international jetsetters for some years, and these six properties will help to give our members the luxury travel experience they expect from The Registry Collection.”Analysts report that investment in Asian real estate has increased by more than 40 per cent this year with wealthy buyers returning to Asia raising levels of cross-border activity. Buyers are following global trends of looking for increased value in their spend which is a strength of the product.

“The fractional concept is relatively new to Asia and Absolute is bringing its expertise of shared-ownership, great brand strength and sales and marketing expertise to Thailand. We believe Absolute will be very successful in this fast-growing market and are thrilled to be partnered with them,” Ballotti added.

Bryan Lunt, Chairman of the Absolute World Group said: “Fractional ownership is the perfect antidote to the current financial climate and makes so much sense. Buying fractional allows you to actually purchase your dream holiday home, hassle-free, for only the time you would use it. We offer a stunning collection of properties, all exquisitely furnished with exclusive benefits such as the use of speedboats, spas, golf equipment, luxury airport transfer and the privilege of membership. Our target market is a discerning purchaser seeking high quality accommodation and excellent service.

The Registry Collection Programme provides members with access to an elite global network of the very finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24-hours a day. More than 160 properties available through the programme are either accessible for exchange or under development.

“The Registry Collection complements our offering perfectly. Should our owners want a change from Thailand, through our affiliation they can choose to exchange stay periods in their owned property for stays in properties worldwide which are associated with the programme, confident that their experience and accommodation will be of the same high quality as their owned resort. Other benefits include the use of the programme’s 24/7 concierge services, and access to its Collection Partners luxury leisure and travel services. We are delighted to be working with them.”

The newly affiliated properties are located in Thailand and include two resorts from Absolute’s partnership with the world leading yoo brand, yooPhuket and yooSamui, as well as Absolute Platinum Suites, Absolute Beach Resort at Nakalay Bay, Absolute Bangla Suites and Absolute Villas at Palm Grove, Jomtien. Of these properties Absolute Bangla Suites and Absolute Beach Resort at Nakalay Bay are opening this year and yooPhuket is now in launch phase.

“We are very proud to add this calibre of development to The Registry Collection,” said Jonathan Back, Managing Director, Group RCI, EMEAI. “Our goal is to offer our members the finest vacation destinations in the world. Working with affiliates like Absolute Developments ensures that our members receive exactly the world-class luxury travel experience they desire. The style, feel, design and location of these properties are in essence what The Registry Collection is all about. We are very pleased to be able to announce Absolute as our first affiliate in Asia and look forward to working with them to achieve strong growth throughout the region over the next few years.”

About the properties

yooPhuket – an Absolute development in partnership with YOO. yooPhuket is a spectacular collection of stylish mixed use apartments and penthouses situated between three of Thailand’s leading Golf courses and a mere 10 minute drive to the island’s best beaches. It will offer all the services and facilities visitors would expect from a world-class development. Launching Q4 2009.

yooSamui - an Absolute development in partnership with YOO. yooSamui is an exclusive boutique beachfront mixed use development located at the southern tip of Koh Samui, Thailand’s third biggest island. yooSamui sits on the water’s edge and commands some of the most relaxing views in the world. Launching Q3 2010.

Absolute Beach Resort at Nakalay - located at a private cove of Nakalay beach on the Western coast of Phuket Island. The resort offers beachfront luxury studios, one and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses with stunning panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and jungle-clad mountains. Opening Q4 2009.

Absolute Bangla Suites - the stylishly contemporary designed boutique resort hotel is situated in the heart of Phuket’s nightlife, dining, entertainment and shopping hub in Patong. It will offer a selection of 27 studios, nine junior suites, seven executive suites, and two grand suites, many with private terrace jacuzzis. Opening Q3 2009.

Absolute Signature Villas at Palm Grove, Jomtien - a boutique hotel in Na-Jomtien, only 15 minutes’ drive from Pattaya. Its Private Pool Villa Suites nestle among lush tropical gardens and furnished in the Thai contemporary style and offering a first class service. Now open.

Absolute Platinum Suites - comprised of exclusive studios, one and two-bedroom suites, Absolute Platinum Suites is located in the popular tourist resort of Jomtien, Pattaya. This stylish resort boasts a 60m swimming pool and also offers guests a first class concierge service and premium facilities. Opening Q3 2010.

About Absolute Developments

Absolute World Group of Companies is Asia’s market leader in mixed-use resort development, as well as an international company offering a range of integrated services including a worldwide network of international estate agencies and a vacation club used by thousands of members. It has offices in Thailand, China, Russia, Europe and Hong Kong, and employs more than 850 staff.

Absolute Developments deals with high-end luxury resort destinations including private pool villas, boutique resorts and multi-storey condominiums. The Absolute World Group has wide-ranging experience in property development, hotel management, fractional vacation ownership and rentals.

Absolute Developments is committed to delivering heavenly resort destinations, from conception to completion and beyond, with the added value of its dedicated turnkey resort management service.

About yoo

yoo is an international branding, design and investment property company enhancing the quality and adding value to development projects in major towns and cities across the world.

The brand is represented by five core design teams – yoo inspired by Starck, Jade Jagger for yoo, wanders&yoo, Kelly Hoppen for yoo and the yoo Design Studio; all of whom increase value and sales velocity through market leading design, branded marketing and by maximizing media exposure.

Over the past 10 years yoo has been working across the world with international partners on a variety of landmark buildings and large residential projects throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America and the Middle East. yoo is involved in the development of 10,000 apartments currently under construction valued at $7 billion.

About The Registry Collection

The Registry Collection Programme is a global network comprising over 35,000 members and more than 130 affiliates on five continents. More than 160 properties available through the programme are either accessible for exchange or under development. As the world’s largest luxury exchange programme, The Registry Collection Programme provides members with access to an elite global network of the very finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations, as well as personal concierge services that are available 24-hours a day. From condo hotels and high-end fractional resorts to private residence clubs and fractional yachts, The Registry Collection Programme facilitates exchanges around the world and redefines the vacation experience for owners and developers. The Registry Collection Programme is offered by Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NY

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

A residence club in North Lake Tahoe named Tonopalo has sold out with 1/7th chapter fractional ownerships bought from $350,000 (£218,695) to $850,000 (£531,117).

Opened in 2003, the resort is managed by ResortCom Elite and is a 19-unit luxury private residence club.

All of the 3 and 4-bedroom homes are fully furnished and come with large living and dining areas as well as fireplaces, double master bedrooms and gourmet kitchens.

Tom LaTour, founder of LaTour Signature Group, said he was not surprised at how quickly Tonopalo sold out as it is a great opportunity for anyone who is looking to own a piece of the playground of the Pacific West.

He added that the resort offers top amenities and services to its owners in the picturesque setting of Lake Tahoe.

ResortCom International was previously known as Resort Communications and has been in business since 1985.

Besides resort management, it also provides rental and travel services.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

Sept. 30 (Bloomberg) — Wynn Macau Ltd., the casino company led by billionaire Stephen Wynn, raised HK$12.6 billion ($1.63 billion) in a Hong Kong initial public offering.

Wynn Macau sold 1.25 billion shares, a 25 percent stake, at HK$10.08 each, the company said today in a statement. The IPO values the business at 14.5 times next year’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization as estimated by banks involved in the sale, a person with knowledge of the matter said.The 67-year-old Wynn is selling a stake in Macau, the world’s biggest gambling hub, as he grapples with falling revenue at Wynn Resorts Ltd.’s Las Vegas operations. The sale values Wynn Macau higher than rivals including SJM Holdings Ltd. and Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd., according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Wynn Macau “deserves a premium because of its brand,” said Sean Monaghan, a Singapore-based investment consultant. “It’s like buying a Ferrari, they’re always expensive.”

Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts fell $2.36, or 3.2 percent, to $70.89 today in Nasdaq Stock Market trading.

China’s easing of travel curbs from the mainland to Macau and a cap on junket commissions have helped propel an 11 percent gain in the Bloomberg/Standard Newspaper Macau Gambling Index this month.

High-Roller Casino

SJM Holdings, the casino operator with the biggest market share in Macau, has an enterprise value of 7.5 times estimated 2010 Ebitda, according to Bloomberg data. Galaxy Entertainment, the best-performing Macau casino stock this year, has a multiple of 13 times.

Enterprise value measures stock market capitalization plus preferred equity and interest-bearing debt, minus cash and equivalents.

Profit in 2009 will be at least HK$1.47 billion, Wynn Macau forecast in a Sept. 21 regulatory filing. The company plans to open Encore, its new casino resort, in April.

Encore, focused on so-called high rollers and the “premium mass market,” will feature a sky casino and about 400 suites measuring 1,000 square feet each, according to Wynn Macau’s IPO prospectus.

The company had offered the shares at HK$8.52 to HK$10.08 apiece. JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley and UBS AG managed the sale. Sukyi Yau at Citigate Dewe Rogerson, a public relations firm representing Wynn in Hong Kong, declined to comment, as did spokespeople for the banks arranging the sale.

Eased Restrictions

Macau casino operators traded in Hong Kong have surged this year on optimism that China will make it easier for its citizens to travel to the former Portuguese enclave. The government has increased the frequency with which residents of the southern Guangdong province can visit Macau, the only Chinese territory where casinos are legal, to once a month from once every three months, Wynn told reporters on Sept. 23.

Galaxy, part owned by Permira Advisers LLP, jumped 211 percent in Hong Kong trading in 2009. SJM, controlled by billionaire Stanley Ho, has more than doubled, while Melco International Development Ltd. has jumped 91 percent.

At more than 30 times estimated 2009 profit, Wynn Macau shares are the “most expensive” among Hong Kong-traded casino companies, said Kenny Tang, an executive director at Redford Securities Co. Tang said he prefers SJM, which trades at 22 times earnings.

Wynn Macau may fall when it starts trading Oct. 9 as investors get less bullish on the outlook for equity markets, Tang said. “Sentiment isn’t very good. A lot of the IPO shares have dropped below their prices,” he said.

IPOs Stumble

Peak Sport Products Co., a Chinese sportswear maker that sponsors U.S. basketball players, China Lilang Ltd., owner of the nation’s biggest men’s clothing brand, and Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd., which builds steel mills, have all dropped below their IPO prices on their first day of trading in Hong Kong this month.

Macau’s government last week limited the commissions casinos pay to junket operators to 1.25 percent of the betting chips purchased by high rollers. The cap could boost VIP casino operators’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization by 5 percent to 27 percent, Morgan Stanley analysts Praveen K Choudhary and Corey Chan said in a Sept. 22 note to clients.

Earnings at Wynn Resorts have fallen for the past two years as the global economic slowdown hurt travel and spending at the company’s Las Vegas casinos and hotels. Net income at Wynn’s Macau operations rose 48 percent to HK$2.04 billion last year, its draft prospectus said, as gambling revenue climbed. The city contributed 57 percent of Wynn’s second-quarter revenue.

Macau’s gambling revenue, which includes income from horse and greyhound racing and lotteries, rose to a record 11.3 billion patacas ($1.4 billion) in August from a year earlier, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported Sept. 1.

Total visitor arrivals also advanced last month, rising 6.4 percent from a year earlier, the Macau Statistics and Census Service said Sept. 24. It was the first gain since January.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

ONLINE BETTING AND GAMING is a fiercely competitive business.  But it is also one where William Hill has a huge opportunity – as long as we are able to compete on a level playing field.

That is why we have taken the decision to move William Hill’s online sportsbook to Gibraltar, a logical step in the evolution of WilliamHill.com and our online entity, William Hill Online.Any company which wants to be a leading online betting and gaming business on the international stage has to take every competitive advantage possible. And it was simply impossible for us to compete from the UK, as the current 15% gross profits tax regime and 10% levy on all UK horseracing bets accepted discriminates against onshore operators. Existing offshore operators don’t have those costs, giving them more capital to invest in growing their businesses.

Although that was a point which we made repeatedly to the UK government, who has always claimed that it wanted to be an international centre for gaming, we got no response. The decision to move was one we could no longer avoid making. Our online operations now have a really bright future.Relocating our online betting teams to Gibraltar, alongside our suite of existing casino, poker and other gaming products, is going to provide significant synergies further that will help us grow.

Moving our online betting activities to join our existing gaming operations in our William Hill Online headquarters in Gibraltar will also make us more efficient operationally.

Gibraltar is a centre of excellence for online betting and gaming, giving us access to a skilled workforce while offering a competitive tax regime. Around 60 employees have already relocated from the UK to the jurisdiction since the beginning of 2009 to support the expanded operations and we expect this number to grow.

Off-shoring is a key part of that drive and will mean we can compete on a global basis. Our online business already has a strong presence and player base in the UK, but it is becoming increasingly international, both in Europe and beyond. This globalisation is also reflected in our online operations, with our egaming headquarters and gaming activities in Gibraltar, marketing teams in Israel and customer services in Bulgaria.

As for those who have claimed that moving offshore will increase the risk of match-fixing or corrupt betting, bookmakers are the ones that suffer if fraudulent bets are placed. They have no interest in lowering their guard when it comes to monitoring these criminal activities.

Moving to Gibraltar will enable us to continue our focus on internet gaming and  betting, which up until we entered into our partnership with Playtech had become the underperforming cousin to the rest of our business.

Already, we have seen marked improvements in our online activities: online bingo revenues have grown by 50% over the past 12 months and our overall egaming revenues rose 58% in 2009 to £100m, compared with £63m last year. These figures reflect the immediate impact of combining the Playtech brands with the William Hill name last year. We are also confident the migration of our online casino to the Playtech platform by year-end, in addition to the poker players we will ‘re-recruit’ once the poker player-base has been migrated from the CryptoLogic platform to Playtech, will continue to feed this growth.

All these moves will increase our cross-selling capabilities, which when allied to the competitive edge we will gain in online betting thanks to our relocation, will enable our online division to achieve even more.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

MAKUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan’s Penghu group of islands held a referendum on Saturday on whether it should host a new casino following the repeal of a law banning such gambling facilities.

A total of 73,651 residents of the outlying archipelago in the Taiwan Strait are eligible to vote while the outcome is expected around 1000 GMT, the Penghu county government said.

The vote came after the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party pushed through a controversial bill in parliament in January to lift the decades-long ban on casinos.

The bill allows offshore islands to build casinos only if they are approved by residents in a referendum.

Several companies, including British developer AMZ Holdings Plc and Taiwan’s Penghu Bay Development Co., have been preparing land for casino projects in the archipelago, according to local tourism officials.

Penghu will compete with other offshore islands for the one or two casino licences the government is planning to issue, officials said.

If Penghu does win a licence, it would likely attract half a million tourist visits annually, generating 100 billion Taiwan dollars (3.13 billion US) worth of revenues in gambling and tourism, according to a government study.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

Alan Thomas has been promoted to the position of Managing Director, Maldives and Sri Lanka, from his previous role as General Manager of Six Senses Hideaway and Evason Hua Hin, Thailand.

In his new role he will oversee the Soneva Fushi by Six Senses, Soneva Gili by Six Senses, and Six Senses Latitude Laamu - which is scheduled to open early 2010.

Alan is an experienced international hotelier with over 30 years of valuable management experience. Prior to joining Six Senses he opened, and was General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England.

Prior to that he spent three years as General Manager of the prestigious Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate in Melton Mowbray, England and also spent two years as Deputy General Manager at The Grosvenor House on Park Lane.Previous to this, Alan spent 11 years with Mandarin Oriental in various capacities in Hong Kong, the Philippines and San Francisco where he was based for three years. Alan trained with the Savoy Hotel Group, London and is married with two grown children.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

The launch of the Autumn and Winter 2009 Collection from IJP Design has two over-riding themes that will surprise no-one who knows anything about Ian Poulter.Celebrating British Heritage and individual choice, it is another statement of intent from a golfer with a strong sense of elegant lines, vibrant colours and distinctive style.

Poulter himself is in no doubt that IJP Design have come up trumps: “Yet again I feel that my team has produced another exceptional golf and lifestyle apparel range that allows you to be seen, be smart and most importantly be yourself.”We’ve been taking a look at the latest range and you can too with our exclusive gallery of the IJP Design Autumn and Winter 2009 Collection.

Here’s what IJP and Golf365 have to say about it, what do you think?

What They Say:

Introducing the Limited Edition ‘Quintessentially British’ Collection from IJP Design, from luxurious textured knitwear to Design your own Belt, this is the most sophisticated collection yet from the leading golf and lifestyle brand.

Tartan Roots

Each season the IJP designers follow their ‘lead with the legs’ philosophy and chose a 4 colour palette for each of the 3 tartans. This then determines the mood for the collection. For the Autumn/Winter season their chosen lead colours consist of Bugatti blue and indigo, jet black and rich damson, marshmallow and mocha.

Lead with the Legs

Trousers are at the heart of IJP Design and indeed IJP (Ian James Poulter) himself. This season the signature ‘Ian Poulter’ tartan, registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority, makes an appearance in both the famous boot leg trousers and shorts. The collection also boasts beautifully stylish piped tailored trousers and comfortable, casual corduroys - something for everyone.

Designer Knitwear

An item of IJP Design knitwear is a must for any winter wardrobe as the range is simply stunning. High quality merino wool and finest cashmere feature time and again, though there is always an IJP twist to the designs that makes them so distinctive and chic. A fine example is the signature tartan back of the funnel neck jumper.

Technical Perfection

The Autumn / Winter collection would not be complete without the inclusion of the state of the art waterproofs. The jacket stands out from others with its tailored (rather than gathered) waistband, making movement easier. The waterproof trousers also boasts larger than average back pockets for a score card, stretch lining in the knee for additional movement and a tailored waistband. A tough test run was the Open Championship 2008 at Royal Birkdale, where the suit protected Ian from howling wind and rain, helping him get ahead of the pack and finish second in the tournament.

Luxury Limited Edition Range

This year also sees the proud launch of the 2009 ‘Quintessentially British’ Limited Collection, the perfect example of luxurious, stylish golf apparel. Key pieces include an 100% cashmere Union Jack Sleeveless Cardigan, a St Georges tartan for the bootleg trousers and a Swarovski Crystal Union Jack Cap. This is IJP Design saying ‘dare to different’!

Unique Accessories

Another key addition, due to popular demand, is the ability to create your very own IJP belt. Select one or two of the luxurious Italian belt leathers and match it with any one of the best selling buckles, the limited edition Union Jack buckle for instance. If you are an accessories fan you can also build your collection and store it in the ‘Quintessentially British’ Union Jack Tartan Belt and Buckle Bag, complete with a silhouette of Ian on the zip and unique caddy map lining.

Collection Launch - 1st September 2009

Website & Stockists - www.ijpdesign.com

What we say:

Matt Cooper: I sometimes wonder if there isn’t a secret PGA Tour regulation that requires all golfers to wear enough fabric for two golfers rather than just the one, so badly fitted are most PGA Tour golfer’s clothing.

It is all part of my frustration with a sport that is sometimes so conservative and insular that anyone with the gumption to wear something different is deemed as some sort of fruitcake or show-off.

It’s bad enough that anyone thinks they deserve the moral high ground because they wear the sort of clothes that drove C&A out of business, but it’s even worse when you judge it from a game-playing perspective.

Modern fabrics and design techniques mean that fitted clothes don’t restrict movement and can even enhance it so relying on flapping pleated chinos and over-sized shirts is even less “sensible” than the stick-in-the-muds think it is.

I’m with Poulter. Give me fitted trousers, clean lines and bold colours any time.

Dave Tindall: Thanks to the IJP design team, I got sent a sample of the new clothes to try on.

My favourite item - and one I would definitely wear both on and off the course - was the cardigan (or should I say the Quarter Zip Funnel Neck Signature Jumper in Mocha). It’s light, stylish and oozes quality.

However, the most interesting experience was trying on a pair of the Signature Tartan Boot Leg Trousers.

I’ve never had the bottle to sport a pair of tartan pants so put them on in slightly giggly mode.

However, once on something a bit weird happened. Because their style and cut are so synonymous with the man himself, I actually felt as if I had Ian Poulter’s legs on.

My normal casual walk became a bit of a strut and the line “I could do some damage in these” even crossed my mind. For me, that would normally mean knocking over a load of expensive vases but, in this case, I meant getting out on the golf course and knocking in some birdies.

“Look good, feel good, play good” is the Poulter mantra. And after trying these on, I completely get what he’s on about.

©2010 ClubVentures - Private Member/Residence Clubs, Spas, Casinos, & Horse Racing Clubs. All Rights Reserved.

Horsham, PA, September 24, 2009 –(PR.com)– The Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key) today announced that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has committed its portfolio in the United States to becoming members of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program.The recent launch of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in the United States signifies the evolution of the program from its Canadian roots to one that serves the needs of conservation-minded properties across Canada and the U.S. The partnership between Green Key and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, an environmentally progressive hotel group with close to two decades of experience greening its operations, dates back to the original development of the program in the mid-1990s.

“As a true leader in environmental stewardship, Fairmont sees value in working with like-minded partners to reduce its environmental impact and promote operational sustainability,” said Sarah Dayboll, Fairmont’s Manager of Environmental Affairs. “Expanding the Green Key program to our US-based properties, supports Fairmont’s brandwide commitment to minimizing its impact on the planet, as it provides our hotels with another tool to audit, benchmark and also enhance their environmental activity.”

The Green Key evaluation is a comprehensive 140-question audit that is self-administered by the staff at the participating property, covering a broad range of operational areas and sustainable practices. Upon completion, the answers are tabulated and the property is awarded a ranking of 1 to 5 Keys and a corresponding display plaque. The property also receives a comprehensive report that includes recommendations, best practices and potential areas for improvement and savings, and a listing on the www.greenkeyglobal.com website, a valuable resource for environmentally conscious travelers. Unlike other programs of this nature, Green Key includes random, on-site verification of audit results, mitigating the risk of score inflation.

“As a recognized leader in Canada and globally in terms of sustainable hotel practices, we are very pleased that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has made this commitment as we launch Green Key in the United States,” explained Tony Pollard, President of Green Key Global.

The cornerstone of the program is its focus on sound sustainable practices specifically for the lodging industry. Green Key was developed by a leading environmental engineering firm with support from the Canadian Government to withstand the scrutiny of a wide-range of environmental experts. The program has also received praise from the U.S. Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and the Rainforest Alliance and is listed in the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Green Resource Center.

For more information on Green Key or to register your property now, visit www.greenkeyglobal.com, call +1.888.752.7061 or email info@greenkeyglobal.com.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts:
A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of distinctive hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City, Kenya’s Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, and London’s The Savoy, reopening later this year following an extensive restoration program. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont’s portfolio includes 57 world-class hotels, with plans to develop over 30 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Shanghai, The Philippines and India.

Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 92 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

About Green Key: The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is the first of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts in North America based on their commitment to sustainable “green” operations. The program was originally developed for the Hotel Association of Canada by a leading environmental engineering firm with funding from the Canadian Government. Designed specifically for hotel operations, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a comprehensive environmental audit that will allow each participating property to benefit on several fronts – cost savings, increased bookings from environmentally conscious consumers and meeting planners and responsible corporate citizenry. In the United States Green Key is a joint partnership between the Hotel Association of Canada and

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